Woman of the Week – Angel Harris

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Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!

Angel Harris

My Current Job/Company:
Senior Assistant Vice President, Development – United Way of Central Ohio

My Birth Date:
10.22.1975

My Work:
I lead a great team that works with public and private organizations to help them reach their philanthropic goals while generating over $40 million a year for community investment.

My Passion:
My spiritual walk, family and my career

My Family:
Christopher (Husband), Daughters (Alexis – 15 & Angelina – 2), Step sons (Kellen – 18, Esteban – 14, Ruel – 12 & Elon – 10). We are expecting a son on July 4th, 2011

My Heroes:
My mother and older sister. My mother taught me to be dedicated, introspective and benevolent. Drema taught me incredible life lessons from my ABC’s to being a conqueror that never settles.

My Escape:
“Girl’s Day Out” for shopping and dining that includes a mani/pedi!

My Pet Peeve:
People who litter.

My Indulgence:
Cheesecake….any kind of cheesecake!

My Roots:
Hardworking. Humble. Encouraging. Supportive of one another. Fun loving.

My Future:
Blessed and successful, yet probably not the way it is laid out in my 20 year plan!

My Love:
Date night with my husband, being with my children, laughing with my parents and siblings about family memories and antics until my eyes water.

My Movie:
The Mirror Has Two Faces. I have sat with my mother and several cups of coffee watching this movie for an entire afternoon.

My Quote on Life:
“I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.

My Accessories:
Shoes and earrings.

My Advice to Young Women:
Have a plan for your personal and professional life so that you can visualize the success you want to achieve. Know what works and what doesn’t in the space you are in and pay close attention to the things going on around you. Don’t compromise what you believe but, be open to coaching in areas that will make you a stronger, better leader. Select a handful of women whose advice you can trust to be in your inner circle. And it doesn’t hurt to add a man or two to your group of mentors to give you balanced advice.

How I Balance it All:
I have an incredibly supportive family structure. They have been there for me every step of the way encouraging me to be the best at whatever I do. And my husband is the greatest. He fills in all the places that I am missing and is so great with the kids. If he didn’t do what he does, I couldn’t do what I do!

“Real” Abundance….

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Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.
-Wayne Dyer

Woman of the Week – Melissa Meredith

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melissa meredith

Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!

Melissa Meredith

My Current Job/Company:
I’m transitioning out of my former corporate executive life and into something quite different and yet unknown. It’s exhilarating and liberating!

My Birthdate:
11/7/69

My Work:
After decades of running at breakneck speed to do/have it all, my tank was empty. Once I made the decision to leave the corporate world, my work became that of figuring out how to reconnect with myself and my loved ones. I learned a lot along the way and now want to share my journey with others. Finding your voice and standing in your truth are vital to understanding why you matter to the world.

My Passion:
Making authentic connections with people. Lifting up the power each one of us has to make a difference. Living a wholehearted life and teaching my daughter to do the same.

My Family:
Erin, my daughter (7)

My Hero:
Maya Angelou’s quiet strength is awe-inspiring.

My Escape:
I get lost in the beauty of this world (art, music, poetry, nature, human connection, etc.).

My Pet Peeve:
Posers (I used to be one!)

My Indulgence:
I couldn’t possibly eat enough chocolate.

My Roots:
Soulful. Adventurous. Curious.

My Future:
Helping people discover their greatness.

My Love:
Seeing my daughter blossom makes my heart smile.

My Movie:
The English Patient

My Quote on Life:
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” -Helen Keller

My Accessory:
Matching necklace and earrings.

My Advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself and pay close attention to the fire in your belly.

How I Balance it All:
Forget about urgent. Do what’s important and the urgent will take care of itself.

Woman of the Week – Melissa Pierre-Louis

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Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!

Melissa Pierre-Louis

My Current Job/Company
Education Program Assistant with the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College

My Birthdate
03/28

My Work
I coordinate and assist in the preparation and execution of continuing legal education courses and programs for judges, magistrates, and court personnel.

My Passion
Advocating for the rights and well being of others. Helping people find the means to help themselves.

My Family
Mom, Dad, sisters Lynn and Liona, brothers in-law Steve and Ryan, nieces, Faith, and Sara (and two more on the way).

My Hero
My Mom

My Escape
The spa. Every girl deserves to be pampered. Mani/pedi here I come!

My Pet Peeve(s)
Tardiness and pessimists.

My Indulgence
Hummus and pita chips.

My Roots
Filled with strength, independence, sacrifice, and faith.

My Future
The sky’s the limit. My latter days will be greater than the former.

My Love
Christ.

My Movies
Amazing Grace and the Great Debaters.

My Quote on Life
“The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”
(Leonard Ravenhill)

My Accessory
Earrings. I feel naked without them.

My Advice to Young Women
Be comfortable in your own skin. Stop trying to be like someone else. Do not be afraid to embrace your own unique attributes and recognize that most of the people who look like they have it all together really do not. If you are not your own unique self, who might the world be missing out on?

How I Balance it All
The three P’s — prayer, planning, and patience. I love making to do lists and truly enjoy the satisfaction that comes from checking off each task. However, I have learned the importance of asking for help when I need it. Pride can equal stress but peace of mind is priceless.

Missing Pieces: Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards—2010 Alliance for Board Diversity Census

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Collectively, women and minorities lost ground in America’s corporate boardrooms between 2004 and 2010, according to Missing Pieces: Women and Minorities onFortune 500 Boards—2010 Alliance for Board Diversity Census. White men still overwhelmingly dominate corporate boards with few overall gains for minorities since 2004 and a significant loss of seats for African-American men. In the Fortune 100, between 2004 and 2010, white men increased their presence, adding 32 corporate board seats, while African-American men lost 42, and women—particularly minority women—did not see an appreciable increase in their share of board seats. In the Fortune 500, which is included in this year’s report as well, the overwhelming majority of seats were held by white men.

The study was compiled by the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD), a collaboration of five leading organizations—Catalyst, The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), theHispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), and The Prout Group, Inc.

http://catalyst.org/publication/481/missing-pieces-women-and-minorities-on-fortune-500-boards2010-alliance-for-board-diversity-census

Loyalty…

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Loyalty means not that I agree with everything you say or that I believe you are always right. Loyalty means that I share a common ideal with you and, regardless of minor differences, we fight for it, shoulder to shoulder, confident in one another’s good faith, trust, constancy and affection. ~Dr. Karl A. Menninger

Woman of the Week: Collyn Weaver

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Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!

Collyn Weaver

My Current Job/Company: I am looking for an accounting internship.

My Birthdate: November 26, 1990

My Work: As a student I am putting all of my effort into my courses to become the best I can be in the accounting field.

My Passion: My family, my friends, and my education.

My Family: Dad Lyle, Mom Lori, older brother Miles, and younger brother Mason.

My Heroes: My grandfather, who has taught me many life lessons, and my younger brother, who has a mental handicap but does not let that define him. He has overcome many obstacles in life and continues to each day.

My Escape: A long, hot bath with the radio on.

My Pet Peeve: Commercials and waiting in line.

My Indulgence: Chocolate.

My Roots: Simple, hard-working, and gracious.

My Future: Hopeful and exciting

My Love: Bonfires on a clear summer night with my friends.

My Movie: Sweet Home Alabama and Remember the Titans

My Quote on Life: “Fate exists but it can only take you so far, because once you’re there, it’s up to you to make it happen.” -Can’t Hardly Wait (Movie)

My Accessory: Headbands.

My Advice to Young Women: Dream big!

How I Balance it All: Having a family that supports me with all that I do. Also, a well organized planner.

For My Daughter…

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I am addicted to positive thoughts, positive people and positive momentum. Simply said, I am a big fan of optimism. If you follow my blog, my Facebook updates or my comments, you know this to be true! I love inspirational quotes, motivational thoughts and all around positive people. This is what really fills my tank. My closest friends, very positive! When I have struggled at work or had challenges in life, it’s when I have been surrounded by too many negative people. It’s just not a good fit for me. And, if you are not the “cheery” type, I am probably not your cup of tea.

Recently, while visiting an old colleague, I was admiring her wall art. She had quotes around her home that described her personality. I loved it and I quickly went back home to find some appropriate messages for my walls – some inspiration, some positive-ness to surround us! My always-supportive husband rolled his eyes and asked, “isn’t your attitude enough already?” But I went on with my plan!

For Baby Connor’s room, I posted a quote from Winnie the Pooh: “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” Perfect!
For our living room: “The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.” Even more perfect!

When it came to choosing a quote for my daughter, my fabulous 5-year-old, I was suddenly overwhelmed. I felt that everything I wanted her to believe, dream, feel and live, I wanted on her walls.

Where would I start? How many messages could I possibly find? How small could I get the font? I want her to be strong and daring. I want her to believe in herself. I want her to be smart and giving. I want her to always be a lady but also be confident. I want her to be kind, above all else. Somehow, I want these messages on the wall to sink in every single night when she lies in bed. Mostly, I don’t want her to be fearful of anything or anyone.

Suddenly I realized….she can’t read yet! Was this message a reminder for her or for me? I chuckled to myself when I found the perfect one. I think I chose one that transcends time; whether she is 5….or she is 40:

YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU SEEM, BRAVER THAN YOU BELIEVE, AND SMARTER THAN YOU THINK.

P.S. And, you live in a house full of optimism and love!

Meet Autumn Williams.. our Woman of the Week

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My Name:
–Autumn R. Williams

My Current Job/Company:
–Program Manager for Strategic Planning at The Ohio State University

My Work
–I serve my alma mater in building and refining our strategy to go from excellence to eminence! I get a bird’s eye view of all the amazing things Ohio State does to serve students, faculty, staff and the community.

My Passion
–I have a lot of passion for education equity, social justice and professional development. These are the things I read about most.

My Family
–Given at birth and found through friendship. My family is everyone who loves me unconditionally.

My Heros
–My mom, Audrey. She once told me it is important to give back because someone did it for me. Many people have given of themselves to help me grow and I am forever grateful. I have carried this lesson in leadership with me my entire life and take seriously my responsibility to serve.

My Escape
–In a book… reading rainbow! 

My Pet Peeve
–Wasting time.

My Indulgence
–Traveling, as much as I can.

My Roots
–Humble, faithful and full of love.

My Future
–Infinitely more than I can imagine.

My Love
–Laughing until my cheeks hurt.

My Movie
–Beauty and the Beast.

My Quote on Life
–It’s a tie: (1) “To whom much is given, much is required.”-paraphrase of Luke 12:48
And (2) “But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” –Carrie Bradshaw, SATC

My Accessory
–Tiffany’s bracelets.

My advice to young women
–Pursue everything that interests you, find a mentor… more than one actually and spend time getting to know yourself.

How I balance it all…………….
–I don’t know if it is possible to every truly live a balanced life but I am committed to: making time for regular manicures, working out every day and only saying “yes” to things that align with my personal interests. Long days are only enjoyable if I’m doing things that I WANT to be doing. My priorities will change over time, but at least I won’t have a hang nail.